Ford Ranger Top Midsize In 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study

The Ford Ranger has earned plenty of praise for its reliability since being reintroduced to the U.S. market a few years ago, landing on Consumer Reports‘ list of the most reliable vehicles multiple times, ranking second in the mid-size pickup segment in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), topping the same organization’s 2020 Initial Quality Study (IQS), finishing second in the 2021 IQS, and moving back up to first last year. Now, J.D. Power has released its 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study, and the Ford Ranger has once again topped the mid-size pickup segment, too.

The Ford Ranger managed to actually tie the Jeep Gladiator for first place this year, as both of those mid-sizers beat out the rest of their competition, along with third-place Maverick, which is actually a compact pickup. Regardless, it’s yet another feather in the cap of the current-gen Ranger, which is bowing out after the 2023 model year in the U.S. and is set to be replaced by an all-new, redesigned model.

In terms of the overall market, this year’s IQS found that the industry faces some challenges as new vehicles are becoming more problematic for owners. Problems per 100 vehicles – or PP100 – have increased by 30 points over the past two years, which is a record for the 37-year-old study, and jumped 12 points year-over-year. The majority of these issues are stemming from technology, audio systems, safety features, and door handles, interestingly enough.

“The automotive industry is facing a wide range of quality problems, a phenomenon not seen in the 37-year history of the IQS,” said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. “The industry is at a major crossroad and the path each manufacturer chooses is paramount for its future. From persistent problems carrying over from years past to an increase in new types of problems, today’s new vehicles are more complex – offering new and exciting technology – but not always satisfying owners.”

We’ll have more on the Ranger soon, so be sure to subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Ranger news and continuous Ford news coverage.